What is a good standalone dvd recorder under 400$ ???

[sagafoo]

hi...recently after a year my Philips dvdr75, stopped working almost all together, it has gotten progressively worse over the last few months, and now it only will record dvd+rw, when i try to record dvd+r it errors during finaliztion, and presto!!! ....another coaster.

are the newer models of philips standalone recorders any better?
I really liked some of the features of the unit...i just didnt like the fact that it didnt work very well.
when it did work it made very nice compatible dvds!!

i bought a cheap sanyo dvd recorder for 250$ and it disc errorder on the first burn so i took it back.

i saw a sony dvd recorder that records on all formats except dvdram...but its a bit expensive.

please, any help on what dvd recorder to buy would be appreciated.

and DONT buy philips dvdr75!!!

[sagafoo]

more questions...does the panasonic recorder record in 1 hour speed??
Should i consider trying to get my philips fixed?
what does anyone think of the new sony multi format dvd+/-r/rw DVD recorders (standalones)??
any word on availible features...the philips allowed me to delete titles on dvd+r discs before finalization making it possible to save partially recorded dvds, the sanyo had no such function....
Im in the u.s.a.
any help is apreciated!!

[lordsmurf]

Best?

JVC DRM10SL

... out of ... hmm.. I guess about 25 recorders I've tested ... I quit counting.

Good runners up include LiteON, Pioneer and Sanyo

On your bad Sanyo experience, it may have just been the disc. It came with a coaster, hope you didn't use that.

[sagafoo]

could you possibly tell me about features?

I used maxell media to test it, it was really slow to react to any button pushing, when i pressed rec/pause it took almost 20 seconds to register and twice when i pressed pause again to restart recording it totally glitched out and displayed a staticy rainbow of colors and switched off....

thanks for your help
i really dont want to get burned again.
and i prefer to get a new recorder that uses dvd+r format (for compatibiliy)

[lordsmurf]

Go to company sites to see features.

On the Sanyo, I used INFODISC (Memorex 2.4x) DVD+RW media for testing.

[sagafoo]

well..thanks for that, but i have already checked out company sites bfore i posted here, the sites are generally sorely lacking in real functional information, i just thought maybe some people here might help.

[babrams]

I also had the Philips DVR75 for about 13 months. Recorded DVD+RW well but only on Verbatim DVD+R's. Any other brand DVD+R would stop recording after 3 seconds. Recorder recently stopped playing DVD+RW that it recorded.

Recently bought a Philips DVR615 (newer model) and it records on any brand DVD+R's so far. Even cheap ones. I also purchase a LiteOn LVW5005 from CompUSA a few days ago. It records on DVD+RW/+R, DVD-RW/-R and CD-R/RW's. It records Video CD's on blank CD-R's. I like the Philips because it has multiple inputs and outputs, the LiteOn doesn't. Haven't decided which one I will keep yet. Maybe both.

Billy

[handyguy]

Dvd recorder comment section is under dvd writers on left column.
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Panasonics can make a one hour disk, a two hour disk, even am 8 hour disk, a e55 from buydig.com is cheap.

[sagafoo]

babrams..thats very interesting...
my phillips originally recorded fine on any dvd+r i put in it.
It's just over a year old and now it will only record on dvd+RW and just like you described it stops on any other media after around 3 seconds, and when it doesnt do that then it disc errors during finalization.
Is a year and 1000 dvds the average lifespan of these recorders?
I sure hope not.

[hech54]

I personally love my Philips DVDR985....but....I've heard many people talking about the unreliability of Philips recorders....especially the 70 and 75...and even the 985.
My Philips recently (July 12th to be exact...I've had it for over 2 years) displayed an error message at startup but that problem seems to have been fixed by the new firmware update. I doubt the newest firmware will fix yours since your errors seem to be recording related.
Anyway....I really would consider the JVC to replace my 985 once it dies for good....maybe the Philips DVR615....MAYBE.
My DVD Recorder needs are simple...I only use my DVD Recorder as a vehicle to get the video to my computer. From there I make a "proper" DVD....cause I suck at capturing..

[sagafoo]

thanks hech54!

im on a budget, and want something that will last.
I certainly did make a LOT of recordings on this unit.
i wonder if the newer philips models offer any new features, or will last longer?
It definately makes the most compatible dvds out there (when it comes to home dvd players that is, not pcs)....

[hech54]

Yep....the compatibility right out of the machine is also a HUGE factor for wanting to stick to the Philips machines.
I doubt Philips would ever come out and say "our new machines are MUCH more reliable" when they have never even mentioned in any way, shape or form that they have a reliability issue with their recorders.

I also don't use mine "like a VCR"....I only record important (to me) stuff with my 985. I also own a DVD player....meaning....I have played ONE factory pressed DVD in my 985 in it's lifetime...and very few of it's own +R or +RW's.

I would most likely try the JVC if the Philips bites it.....maybe even before it bites it if the prices drop like "they" say they will..

[lordsmurf]

like "they" say..

If you ever find "they" ... let me know.
I've got a bone to pick with some of those mouthy suckers.

[sagafoo]

Yeah, i would do 3 or 4 dvds in a row, and then watch a movie on it...but of course at the time, why shouldnt I have thought it would last like a dvd player? I also really like the thumbnail menus and the option to erase parts of a dvd even on dvd+r!!

I've had the same standalone cd recorder for almost 5 years and it works perfectly!! And I use it a lot! Why shouldnt a dvd recorder last too??

[hech54]

I've had the same standalone cd recorder for almost 5 years and it works perfectly!! And I use it a lot! Why shouldnt a dvd recorder last too??

No arguements from me on that one. A DVD Recorder "should" last as long and be as reliable as a CD Recorder or dare I say....a VCR. The fact of the matter is...alot of these DVD Recorders are simply...not.

My DVD Recorder records....my DVD Player plays. That has been my mindset from day one of Philips DVD Recorder ownership. I loved the idea of recording DVD's....I just didn't trust the longevity or reliability of these "new" machines.